Bodh Gaya- An Enlightenment Place of Lord Buddha

Bodh Gaya is a religious place for pilgrims where Lord Buddha left his foot steps nearly 2500 years ago while traveling in the search of enlightenment. It is located near the river Phalgu, Bihar. People across the globe come here to visit this pilgrimage center. It is famous as this is the place where Gautama Buddha is said to have obtained Enlightenment on the full moon day of Wesak in 588 BC and is the most holy place on the earth for Buddhists . King Ashoka was the first to build a shrine at this sacred place.

For Buddhists, Bodh Gaya is the most important of the four main pilgrimage sites related to the life of Gautama Buddha, the other three are Kushinagar, Lumbini and Sarnath. Bodh Gaya is associated with the Mahabodhi Temple complex in Gaya District of Bihar, India.  The Diamond Throne of Buddha is also located between the Bodhi tree and the rear Wall of the temple. It marks the actual seat of Enlightenment.

Bodh Gaya was the place where under a banyan tree also known as the Bodhi Tree, Gautam attained supreme knowledge to become Buddha, the enlightened one. The serene atmosphere of the place arouses the subconscious soul of any visitor who visits this pilgrimage site as the Lord himself had chosen it for meditation.

Major attractions of this sacred place:-

Mahabodhi Temple : – This temple is a major attraction to the Buddhists and stands near the Maha Bodhi tree under which Tathagat, or Gautam attained enlightenment. The height of this popular temple is 170 ft. In 2002, this famous temple became a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has an architectural fusion of many centuries, cultures and heritages. While its architecture has an eloquent stamp of the Gupta era, it also has later age inscriptions describing visits of pilgrims from Sri Lanka, Myanmar and China between 7th and 10th century AD. It is perhaps still the same temple which was visited by Hieuen Tsang in the 7th century. The Shiva Lingam inside the temple was installed in the beginning of the 9th century. Pilgrims should visit the seven sacred places in the temple as they are associated with the Buddha’s stay at each place for seven days after Enlightenment.

Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya

Mahabodhi Temple, BodhGaya

Mahabodhi Tree : – The tree has been considered as sacred since Lord Buddha acquired enlightenment under it, it is probably the fifth succession of the original tree. Anyone, who likes the climate of serene atmosphere can easily understand that the place is perfect for meditation.

Mahabodhi Tree, Bodhgaya

Vajrasana : – It is stone platform, where Lord Buddha sat in meditation while he attained enlightenment and is known as Vajrasana. The place is restricted for any tourist activity as it is a sacred one.

Vajrasana Stone Platform, Bodhgaya

80 Feet statue of Buddha : – This 80 Feet statue is another attraction for tourists. The statue is so high and beautiful that anyone dwell in it for some time. Established in 1989 by Daijokyo in Bodhgaya.

80 Feet Buddha Statue, Bodhgaya

At last, one can say that the Bodh Gaya is a perfect tourist as well as religious place. The placid environment of the place feels anyone that this is a perfect place for meditation as the Lord Buddha did.

Have a Glimpse View of Imposing Heritage Sites in Maharashtra

Many globetrotters travel from one place to another in search of the best and original sites. Some want to explore the national parks, so other wants to explore the beauty of hill stations. Surfing on the internet and getting the knowledge of the exploring place is very common nowadays. People surf for the best travel destinations and planned how to get there. If you are planning for an imposing heritage sites then Maharashtra is full of it. From caves to the fort, from palaces to gateway, everything is there.

Ajanta Cave

Ajanta Cave 27 Sleeping Buddha

Maharashtra is the second most populous state in India, popular for its magnificent heritage sites. One can take the glimpse view of historical sites, and recalling or reviewing the history of the historic sites makes anyone feel wondrous about our past. By knowing how the people of archaic times lost their beloved ones in the several battles, either to save their state or their fort, this make anyone dwell in the history of that time. Many historical places are listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

Ellora Caves

First of all, starting with the famous places, that listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Maharashtra. The famous sites are the Ajanta Cave, Ellora Caves, Elephanta Caves and CST (Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus). These sites are worth visiting as the history describes itself in the caves. Many scriptures related to the gods and goddesses are located in the caves of all types. Some of the sculptures are half broken. These sculptures have a great past behind them. Though they are there from olden times but the beauty of the paintings or the sculptures remain the same even today. CST is famous for its architectural designs as well as the paintings. The structure of this terminus is so elegant that makes anybody dwell in the art of it totally.

Daulatabad Fort

Murud Janjira Fort

Talking about the other heritage sites in Maharashtra, includes the glamorous forts and palaces of Maharajas. They are Raigad Fort, Mastani Mahal, Aga Khan Palace, Murud Janjira, Bassein Fort and many more. All these forts and palaces have great historical past behind them. The architecture and the structure of these forts and palaces are magnificent enough to attract a large number of crowds towards them. The beauty resides in them even now. After visiting those historical spots, nobody can’t say, that they are 300 or 400 years old. Each fort and palace has its own mastership. Some of them are located on high hills while some on an island. So, every palace and fort is popular in the different aspects.

So, Maharashtra’s heritage sites are famous all over India for variety of sites whether they are UNESCO listed or Non UNESCO listed like some Forts & Palaces. The large number of tourists visits every year to have the glimpse of the historical spots in this state.

Don’t forget to read the previously published post about the Must Visit Destinations in Maharashtra.